Newbury School of Weaving
A few handspinners from Maine traveled to Vermont this June to visit the Newbury School of Weaving. The School—the former Marshfield School of Weaving—was founded in 1975 and run for several decades by master weaver Norman Kennedy, and then by weaver Kate Smith (2007-2023). The school then passed to the directorship of Justin Squizzero in January of 2024, was renamed, and then relocated to a chapel on the common in Newbury. Classes in weaving, spinning, dyeing and heritage textile techniques are offered.
This Spring, a call for handspinners was put out to volunteer their time spinning yarn that would later be woven into blankets and donated to those in need.
This inaugural Spinning Frolic, held over a weekend in June, drew inspiration from the frolics of the 18th century, when people gathered in public displays to produce yarn that was often given to support “the poor of the town.” About 40 spinners came from all parts of New England, with a sizable group traveling from Maine.
The School provided pencil roving sourced from Green Mountain Spinnery and everyone was asked to aim for achieving 1600 yards per pound, a good blanket weight yarn. Spinners set to the task with several helping each other to spin such a thin weight on different wheels: Ashford, Schacht, Reeves, Timbertop, vintage and antique. My S10 Louet had to be coached into spinning fine, but eventually cooperated!
Beautiful lunches were served both days and a great time was had by all. We toured the School, sat under trees or on the porch to spin, and greeted a few visitors from the town. Justin was on hand throughout the weekend to assist or to let us try our hand at spinning on the Great Wheel.
Maine spinners are already talking about plans to return next year.
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